Gas-regulator



(No Model.)

AQFORD.

GAS REGULATOR.

No. 367,801. Patented Aug. 9, 1887.

N. PETERS. Phnlo-mhugfiph'er. Wnhington. D. C. V

UNITED "STATES PAT ENT O FICE.

ARCHIBALD FORD, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

GAS-REGULATO R.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 367,801, a ed August 9, 1887.

Application filed April 30, 1887. Serial No. 236,723.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, AROHIBALD FoRD,-of the cit-y and county of San Francisco, State of California, have invented an Improvement in GasBegulators; and I hereby declare the fol lowing to be a full, clear, and exact descrip tion of the same.

My invention relates to an improved gasregulator; and it consists in the peculiar constructions and combinations of parts, which I shall hereinafter fully describe and claim( Referring to the accompanying drawing for a more complete explanation of my invention, the figure is a vertical section taken through the exterior chamber, float, and closed diaphragm, showing the valve and valve stem, connecting-passages, and stopserew.

In the construction of gasregulators itis necessary to make them so that they are easily accessible for examination and repair and easy to take apart without interfering with the pipe-connections. In order to do this the exterior case or globe. has a lower section, A, formed cup shaped, with an upwardly-projecting flange, B, through which the gas is ad mitted into its interior from below. A flange, 0, projects downward from the bottom of the globe to receive the T or other coupling, D, to which the supply-pipe is screwed. valve seat is formed upon the lower end of the flange C, so that the valve closes against it.

Above the section A isa central section, E, which is fitted to screw into the upper part of the section A, as shown, having a suitable washer or other means for forming a tight joint between the two. This central section is cast with an interior flange, F, of smaller diameter, which is united with the part E near the bottom and extends upwardly above the top of it, and is of so much smaller diameter as to form with the part E an annular chamber, G, into which mercury or other suitable liquid is placed, so that the edges of the float may dip into the liquid to form a seal, as will be hereinafter described.

Across the central portion of the part F is a horizontal diaphragm, H, which entirely closes the space, with the exception of a central hole through which the valve-stem passes. The top I of the outer globe or case has a flange, J, which fits down over the outer rim of the part E, as shown, and it is secured in The A (No model.)

placeby screws K, which fit in the indentations in the periphery of the flanged part E, thus locking and holding the cap in place and rendering it easy to remove by simply loosening the screws.

L is the float, which is in the form of an inverted cup, of thin light metal, and having such a diameter that the sides of the cup and its lower edges dip into the liquid in the annular chamber G, before described. Fixed in the center of this inverted cup or float is the upper end of the valve-stem M, which extends down through the central hole in the closed diaphragm H and down through the center of the projecting flanged opening at the bottom of the case A, where the valve N is secured to it by means of screw-threads and a locking-nut. This valve fits against the seat at the bottom part, 0, when the float rises, and thus prevents any further ingress of gas, and when the float falls the valve drops away from the seat, thus allowing the gas to flow in.

O is the, outlet-open'ing, which is also formed in the lower part of the outer casing, A, and has the connectingdischarge-pipe screwed into it, so that this lower portion, with the inlet and outlet pipes, may be permanently fixed and in no way moved or interfered with.

Vertical ribs 1? are formed upon the sides for the application of a wrench or spanner,by which this portion may be turned and loosened when it is desired to remove it from the part A for an inspection of its interior. The upper portion or cap, I, is also easily removed from the part E by simply loosening the screws K.

Through the center of the arched cap I a screw, R, passes, its lower end extending downward, so that when screwed down closely this point will rest upon the top of the float L,(or spindle M,which passes through and is secured to the float at this point,) and thus hold the float down and keep the valve N open for a free flow of gas, the regulator then being out of action. This is done whenever anything occurs that makes it necessary to overhaul the regulator, or if it is desirable to have a free flow of gas through it. By means of the diaphragm around the stem M, only so much gas will pass through as will serve to balance the pressure above and below, while the stem is practically kept, in the center of the opening and prevented from rubbing against the sides of the opening, which would make some friction. I

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In the gas-regulator, the outer casing consisting of the lower fixed section having inlet and outlet pipes connected therewitlnthe central removable section having the horizontal diaphragm and an annular chamber to con tain liquid, into which the edges of the float may dip, and an upper section or cap having a flange which fits overa similar flange in the central section, and holding-screws, substantially as herein described.

2. In a gas-regulator, an exterior easing comprising a lower fixed section, a removable central section screw-threaded so as to fit corresponding screwthreads upon the rim of the lower section, having vertical ribs upon its exterior, and an annular float-chamber cast with it, and a horizontal closed diaphragm with a central opening through which the valve-spindle may pass, in combination with a removable eap fitting upon the central section, afloat or inverted cup the edges of which dip in the liquid contained in the annular chamber, and a valve'stem having the upper end screwed in the center of the cup-shaped float, extending downward through the hole in the horizontal rigid diaphragm, and having a valve adj ustably secured to its lower end and fitting against the seat in the inlet-opening at the bottom of the lower section, substantially as herein described.

3. A gas-regulator comprising the lower fixed section with inlet and outlet openings, a valveseat formed in theinlet-opening, a central screw-threaded section having an annular float-chamber cast around itsinner periphery and a horizontal closed diaphragm extending across it, and an inverted float the edges of which dip into the liquid. in the annular chamber, while its centeris connected with an upwardly-closing valve fitting the seat of the lower chamber, in combination with the removable cap having the adjusting or locking screw I passing vertically downward through its center, substantially as herein described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ARCHIBALD FORD. Witnesses:

S. H. NoUusn, H. 0. LEE. 

